CBSE Class 12 Geography Exam 2025: Important 3-Mark Questions for Quick Revision

The CBSE Class 12 Geography exam is scheduled for February 24, 2025. With the exam approaching, it is very important to focus on 3-mark questions, as they carry good weightage and can boost your score.

To help with last-minute revision, we have compiled important 3-mark questions with answers. These questions cover the main topics of each chapter, ensuring effective preparation. Also, we have included reliable sources to access the most important questions.

 Important 3-Mark Questions with Answers 

Q. 1. What do you mean by Environmental Determinism? Discuss.

Ans: This school of thought emphasises that nature is dominating and human beings are merely passive recipient. They can’t go against the dictums of nature. They are like slaves and nature is having controlling authority over them. That was the reason why early human beings used to worship mother nature in different forms of god and goddesses. Even today life of people residing in tropical rain forest areas of Amazon basin, arctic and subarctic areas is very much guided by nature itself. This was due to low level of technology and primitive sort of socio cultural and economic development.

Q. 2 What do you mean by naturalisation of humans? Discuss.

Ans. This is very much associated with environmental determinism which says that the life of human being is controlled by physical environment. Life style and conduct of human being is governed by the environmental elements of the area concerned. It is very much true for primitive human society and even today in the areas having harsh climatic condition. People don’t have advanced technology and they are bound to follow the dictates of nature to sustain their lives. It advocates that the influence of environment is dominating on human life. People residing in arctic, sub-arctic and Amazon rain forest area is still very much depending on their surroundings to lead their lives. In this regard example of Benda can be cited who lives in thick forest, worships the Loi-Lugi (spirit of the forest) to provide forest products and other things to sustain with.

Q. 3 What do you mean by neo – determinism/stop and go determinism/scientific determinism? Discuss.

Ans: It simply emphasises that neither nature nor human being is supreme, rather there should be coordination between the two. If we want to make out sustainable development, definitely we will have to respect the nature. In fact it is a holistic approach that caters the need of the environment as well. Griffith Taylor an Australian Geographer has coined this term. What he has suggested that human’s role should be like a traffic police. When there is rush, red signal tells us to wait, thereafter orange signal tells us to get ready and if there is green signal it means that we can move ahead. Exactly when we device any developmental model that is to be examined whether the same is eco – friendly or not. In case of negation we should remodel it, re-examine it and if Okayed by the nature, we should move ahead. Thus this school of thought tells us to follow the middle path which is always appreciable.

Q. 4 Name three geographical factors that influence the distribution of population.

Ans. Geographical factors include:
1. Availability of water: people prefer to live in areas where fresh water is easily available for drinking, and for cattle, crops, industries and navigation.
2. Landforms: people prefer living on flat plains and gentle slopes rather than on mountainous and hilly areas. This is because plain areas are favorable for the production of crops and to build roads and industries whereas, the mountainous and hilly areas are unfavorable for the development of transport network, agriculture and industries.
3. Climate and Soils: Areas with a comfortable climate, where there is not much seasonal variation have high population whereas, extreme climates such as very hot or cold, deserts and heavy rainfall are uncomfortable for human living and have low population. Fertile soils are important for agricultural and related activities. Therefore, areas which have fertile loamy soils have more people living on them as these can support intensive agriculture

Q.5 Mention the name of areas where density of population is very low?

Ans. Low density is found in following areas
(i) Hot Desert. : Sahara, Kalahari, Atakama , West Australia
(ii) Extremely Cold Areas- North part of Canada, Greenland, and north part of Siberia
(iii) Cold Desert areas of Central Asia,
(iv) Equatorial Region—Amazon basin of South Africa.

Q.6 Explain the causes of migration with reference to India.

Ans: These reasons can be put into two broad categories:
(i) Push factor, these cause people to leave their place of residence or origin.
In India people migrate from rural to urban areas mainly due to poverty, high population pressure on the land, lack of basic infrastructural facilities like health care, education, etc. Apart from these factors, natural disasters such as, flood, drought, cyclonic storms, earthquake, tsunami, wars and local conflicts also give extra push to migrate.
(ii) Pull factors, which attract the people from different places. there are pull factors which attract people from rural areas to cities. The most important pull factor for majority of the rural migrants to urban areas is the better opportunities, availability of regular work and relatively higher wages. Better opportunities for education, better health facilities and sources of entertainment, etc., are also quite important pull factors.

Q.7 What is migration? Distinguish between life time migrants and migrants by last residence.

Ans: Movement of people from one place to another is called migration
(i) Place of birth, if the place of birth is different from the place of enumeration (known as lifetime migrant);
(ii) Place of residence, if the place of last residence is different from the place of enumeration (known as migrant by place of last residence).

Q.8 What are the streams of migration? Why is it important?

Answer: Migration can be permanent, temporary or seasonal. There are generally four streams of migration.
• Rural to rural
• Rural to urban
• Urban to rural
• Urban to urban Migration is important because it is a spontaneous effort to attain a better balance between resources and population. There are push and pull factors working together behind migration.

Q.9 What are the environmental consequences of migration? Explain.

Ans: i. Overcrowding of people due to rural-urban migration has put pressure on the existing social and physical infrastructure in the urban areas.
ii. This ultimately leads to unplanned growth of urban settlement and formation of slums shanty colonies.
iii. Due to over-exploitation of natural resources, cities are facing the acute problem of depletion of ground water, air pollution, and disposal of sewage and management of solid wastes.

Q10. Distinguish between rural and urban settlements.

Answer: Rural Settlement: Primary activities are main occupation in these settlements and 75% population is
engaged in primary occupation
Population size is low in these settlements
Rural people are less dynamic and social relations are intimate.
Urban Settlement Non agriculture work is the main occupation in these settlements and 75%
Population is engaged in these activities.
Population size is large in these settlements
Urban people are dynamic and their social relations are formal and complex.

Q11. Write three differences between clustered and dispersed settlements of India.

Answer: Clustered
(i) These settlements are found in fertile plains
(ii) Streets are not well drained
(iii)Houses are close to each other and their size is small.

Dispersed
(i) These settlements are found in hilly regions or desert areas
(ii) Settlements are neat and clean with drainage arrangements
(iii)Houses are big and are located at gaps.

Q12. Write the factors which affect the types of settlements in India.

Answer (i) Physical feature
A- Nature of land-Relief
B- Altitude
C- Climate and water supply.
(ii) Cultural and human factors
A- Caste
B- Religion.
(iii)Security factors A- Political disturbances B- War.

Q13. Why Is Water Demanded For Irrigation In Agriculture?

Ans. Water Is Demanded For Irrigation In Agriculture For The Following Reasons.( Any Three)
• Need For Irrigation Is Very High In India Due To The Spatial And Temporal Variation Of Rainfall.
• As Winter And Summer Season Are More Or Less Dry In Most Parts Of India. So, Without Irrigation Agriculture Cannot Be Practised In These Parts.
• Some Crops Like Rice, Sugarcane, Jute And Other Are Water Intensive And Require More Water To Grow.
• Irrigation Helps To Grow Multiple Crops, Gives More Agricultural Productivity

Q14. What Is Water Pollution? Mention Any Two Causes Of Water Pollution .

Ans. Any Unwanted Substance Which Makes Water Unfit For Its Use. Is Called As Water Pollution.
• Two Causes Of Water Pollution Include:
• 1)The Toxic Substances Are Responsible For Water Pollution By Dissolving Or Lie Suspended In Lakes, Streams, Rivers And Oceans.
• 2)Sometimes, These Pollutants Seep Down And Pollute Groundwater

Q15. Why Do We Need To Conserve The Water Resource?

ANS. There is a need to conserve water resources due to the following reasons:
Low Availability of Fresh Water
In India fresh water is not available to meet the demand of a large number of population. Increasing population is also shrinking the per capita availability of water.
To Irrigate Crops
India is an agrarian economy. Most of its population is depended on agriculture. Water is required to irrigate crops and ensure the employment of agrarian workers and the development of the economy. 
For Sustainable Development Water is a life-giving precious resource if we do not save and conserve it, development cannot be possible. So, to ensure sustainable development we need to be conserved the water for future use.

Q16. What are the non-conventional sources of energy?

Ans. Non-conventional sources of energy are:
1.Solar energy
2. Biogas
3.Biomass
4. Wind energy
5. Energy from urban and industrial wastes.

Q17.Explain any three main characteristics of the mineral resources of India.

Answer: The major characteristics of mineral resources are as follows:
1. Their distribution over the earth surface is uneven i.e. some regions may have rich in minerals whereas others may be lack behind in availability of minerals,
2. Minerals of good quality are less in amount and minerals of low quality are more in the amount on earth i.e. quality and quantity of minerals have an inverse relationship.
3. Minerals are exhaustible, i.e. once used they can’t be used again. Minerals take a long time to develop geologically and once they exhausted they cannot be available at that time for use.

Q18. What is nuclear power? Mention the important nuclear power stations in Indian.

Ans. The power obtained by splitting stoms called nuclear power. India has six nuclear power stations. Among the important stations are as follows:
1. Tarapur (Maharashtra)
2. Kota (Rajastahan)
3. Kalpakkam(Tamil Nadu)
4. Narora (Uttar Pradesh)

Q.19.Examine the success of Watershed management Programme implemented in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh.

ANS.The success of Watershed Management programme in Jhabua district can be examined through the following points:
1. Through watershed management programme the degradation of land in Jhabua district has controlled in a significant manner.
2. This programme also helped to improve soil quality in the district.
3. About 20% of the total area under Jhabua district has treated by the watershed programmes.
4. They planted fodder grass on the pasture land and adopted social fencing of these lands for at least two years.

Q.20. Define the term air pollution. Explain any two harmful effects of air pollution.

ANS. A larger proportion of contaminants like dust fumes; gas, fog, odour, smoke or vapour to air for a long duration is known as air pollution. It may be harmful to flora and fauna and to property.
Harmful effects of air pollution are:
• Air pollution is responsible for many diseases related to our respiratory, nervous and circulatory systems.
• Air pollution is responsible for creating a smoky fog over cities which is known as urban smog. It has negative effects on human health.

Q.21. How do industries pollute India’s water bodies? Explain with examples.

ANS. Wastewater, poisonous gases, chemical residuals, numerous heavy metals, dust, smoke, etc. from industries contribute to water pollution. During the last fifty years, the number of industries in India has grown rapidly. But water pollution is concentrated within a few subsections, mainly in the form of toxic wastes and organic pollutants. Most of these defaulting industries are leather, pulp and paper, textiles, chemicals, sugar mills, distilleries and thermal power stations. Not all industries have treatment facilities for industrial effluents. As small scale industries cannot afford enormous investments in pollution control equipment as their profit margin is very slender.

👉 CBSE Class 12 Study Materials

CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2024-25	CBSE Class 12 Previous Year Papers
NCERT Books For Class 12 Books	NCERT Class 12 Solutions
CBSE Class 12 Full Study Material	CBSE Class 12 Sample Paper 2024-25